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GOING BACK TO WORK?? THE USA STARTS A SERIOUS REOPENING!

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A recent survey was reported on the US television program, CBS This Morning.  They suggested that 64% of the people they interviewed probably would NOT take a bonus of $30,000 to return to work at their work place.  Most of those interviewed are still apprehensive in retuning to work.  They feel there are still too many open issues. Service businesses like restaurants and hotels, etc., have the guests returning but their staff is not coming back as quick as expected.  But this is based on the USA.

Some countries around the world have also just begin to reopen, and some are in the worst throes of the pandemic.  But for the most part, the USA is fully open.  Still there are some cities where masks are required.  All public transportation still requires masks.  And on and on.

Almost a year ago, I was beginning to think that the pandemic was starting to abate and we would be returning to work soon.  So I started research on the subject of returning to work.  Well that return to work did not happen as we all know.  Most countries around the world ended up with second and third spikes.  Some with the original Covid and others with variants.  India is basically now in its first horrendous spike.  Countries like Australia and New Zealand never had a spike to speak of.  Congratulations down under.  For the purpose of this article, I am not going to get into the politics of this matter as there are too many issues around the world to speak of that I have no familiarity with.

I am going to get back to the issue I started looking into almost a year ago--going back to work.  Some of you have been able to work the entire time, either as a Healthcare professional, a first responder or as an essential worked.  Some lost their jobs. And many worked from home.  They "Zoomed" or "Skype'd", they collaborated by phone and text, but they worked from home.  Some still were in their pajamas, others in very casual clothing and others in business dress.  And many with their children hanging on, because the pandemic was so new to them.  

If you are asked or required to return to work, get ready for some major changes.  We see plexiglass-glass shields around us all the time protecting us and/or the worker or people on the other side.  We hear of totally new physical facility layouts.  We hear of the need for software that tells you which elevator you can get into.  We hear of facilities that have had to have their HVAC and ventilation systems modified or replaced in order to improve the air quality.  We hear of arrangements in which a certain percentage of the office or work return to work on certain days and others return to work on the other days.  We hear of situations where group events are put on hold or on limited use.  The list goes on and on.   Some businesses are requiring you to be vaccinated to return to work. Others urge you to get vaccinated.  Others have not made any decision in this regard.  

 But a lot will have changed.  Over the coming weeks and perhaps months, I will be sending out articles, etc., which deal with this issue.   Today I start with one that I came across back in August, 2020 when I was thinking Covid might be disappearing.  The points it makes are still as valid today as they were back then.  The article, "Prepare to Return To Your Office" was written by Sara Aridi for publication on August 9, 2020.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/08/at-home/office-return-coronavirus.html

Another more recent article comes from the Cleveland Clinic, one of the most pre-eminent hospital facilities in the world.  Entitled, "Returning to Work Soon?  Here Are Some Ways to Make the Process Easier."  It is an interview with Dr. Susan Albers, PsyD.  

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/returning-to-work-soon-here-are-some-ways-to-make-the-process-easier/

Now whatever you and your company decide regarding your work efforts, please look for the latest information here or elsewhere.  Be on the offense rather than the defense.

Best Regards from the fully vaccinated Bob

May 21, 2021







 




     




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